







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Um, I don't feel like eating anything but fish today. | |
| Hello, what kind of dog do you have, Mike? | |
| I'm so sorry about the inconvenience. | |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| It's half past 4, so we are here right on time. | |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | |
| Thanks, but I don't have time to stay. | |
| Hello, I'm very sorry dear, I'm a bit late. | |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
| Those kind of irresponsible people make me angry! | |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | |
| Well, maybe we can get a 2 bedroom flat. What do you think? | |
| No, they live in Australia. | |
| Erm, I can't work it out, I guess it's more than 150 years old. | |
| Huh, it's quite good money! | |
| I don't need to wake up very early. | |
| Why? What's wrong? | |
| It only takes 15 or 20 minutes. | |